Cleaning heads of a suction cleaning apparatus and suction apparatuses comprising same

ABSTRACT

A cleaning head ( 100 ) of a suction cleaning apparatus ( 10 ) comprising a brush head ( 140 ) configured for agitation cleaning during suction cleaning and the suction cleaning apparatus ( 10 ) comprising the cleaning head ( 100 ) are disclosed. The cleaning head ( 100 ) comprises a tubular housing comprising an inlet portion ( 122 ) including an inlet nozzle ( 132 ) which extends along a centre axis defining an axial direction, an outlet portion ( 124 ) having an outlet end, and an intermediate portion ( 126 ) interconnecting the inlet portion ( 122 ) and the outlet portion ( 124 ); the brush head ( 140 ) comprising a plurality of bristles ( 142 ) arranged to form a bristle skirt having a forward end; and a motor ( 152 ) configured to drive the brush head ( 140 ) to rotate or oscillate about a rotation axis.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to cleaning heads of a suction cleaningapparatus and to suction cleaning apparatuses comprising a cleaninghead.

BACKGROUND

Suction cleaning apparatuses such as vacuum cleaners are useful forremoving loose solid particles from a surface by suction. Where dirt anddebris are deposited on a surface, especially an uneven surface such asa corrugated surface, for example, the outer corrugated surface of apleated filter, suction heads comprising a brush head to performagitated cleaning would be desirable. A suction cleaning apparatuscomprising such a suction head would enhance dirt removal performance.

SUMMARY

A powered cleaning head of a suction cleaning apparatus comprising abrush head configured for agitation and suction cleaning and a suctioncleaning apparatus comprising a powered suction source and the cleaninghead are disclosed.

A cleaning head for a powered suction source comprises: —a main bodycomprising an inlet portion, an outlet portion and an intermediateportion which is an intermediate tubular portion interconnecting theinlet portion and the outlet portion; a brush head comprising aplurality of bristles mounted on a bristle base, the plurality ofbristles being arranged to form a bristle skirt to surround the inletnozzle; and a drive mechanism configured to drive the bristle basewhereby the bristle skirt is to rotate or oscillate about a rotationaxis and about the inlet nozzle. The inlet portion comprises an inlettubular portion which defines an inlet nozzle at its forward end and aninlet aperture at forward end of the inlet nozzle. The outlet portioncomprises an outlet tubular portion which defines an outlet nozzle atits rearward end and an outlet aperture at rearward end of the outletnozzle, the outlet nozzle being configured for coupling to a poweredsuction source whereby suction and electrical power are to be receivedfrom the powered suction source.

The inlet tubular portion may be a first tubular portion which extendsalong a first axis which is a longitudinal center axis of the inlettubular portion, the center axis defining a forward direction. Thebristle skirt extends forwardly to protrude beyond the forward end ofthe inlet tubular portion and define the forward end of the cleaninghead.

The inlet portion may comprise an outer tubular portion which defines anouter periphery of the inlet portion, the outer tubular portion having aforward end which is distal to the intermediate portion and a rearwardend which is in abutment with the intermediate portion. The outertubular portion is coaxial with and surrounds the inlet tubular portion,and has an axial extent which is smaller than the axial extent of theinlet tubular portion so that the forward end of the outer tubularportion is intermediate the forward end of the inlet tubular portion.The outer tubular portion and the inlet tubular portion cooperate todefine a bristle receptacle inside which the bristle base is rotatablyreceived.

The bristles of the bristle skirt may be arranged to form a screen ofbristles which defines a third tubular portion, the third tubularportion being intermediate the inlet tubular portion and the outertubular portion.

The bristle receptacle may have a forward-facing receptacle base whichis in abutment with the bristle base and the bristle skirt projectsforwardly from the bristle base. The outer tubular portion has a forwardend which surrounds the bristle base.

The bristle skirt may have an axial extent which is larger than theaxial extent of the inlet tubular portion so that the bristle skirtextends to protrude beyond the forward end of the inlet tubular portion,which is an inner tubular portion.

The drive mechanism may comprise a motor having a motor shaft and apower coupling arrangement which is configured to couple driving powergenerated by the motor to the bristle base whereby the bristle skirt isrocked or rotated about a rotation axis which is a longitudinal centeraxis of the inlet tubular portion. The motor is outside of and inabutment with the inlet portion, and the motor shaft is parallel to andoffset from the center axis.

The drive mechanism may comprise a power coupler which extends throughthe inlet portion orthogonally in a direction orthogonal to the centeraxis to interconnect the bristle base and the motor.

The bristle base may be configured as a wheel having an inner peripherywhich surrounds the inlet nozzle and an outer periphery which surroundsthe inner periphery. The drive mechanism is configured to couple drivingpower to the bristle base at the outer periphery of the bristle base.

The power coupler may comprise a rocker arm which extends orthogonallyfrom the outer periphery of the wheel to connect with an eccentricdriving pin which is connected to the motor shaft.

The bristle base may be a teethed wheel and the drive mechanism maycomprise a teeth wheel which is in engagement with the bristle base totransmit driving power thereto.

The main body may comprise an outer peripheral wall which defines anouter periphery of the inlet portion and the intermediate portion. Thedrive mechanism is mounted inside a drive housing which is in abutmentwith the outer periphery.

The drive housing may be elongate and extends along the inlet portionand the intermediate portion.

The drive mechanism may comprise a power connector which is configuredto connect with the powered suction source to obtain electrical power tooperate the drive mechanism. The power connector is disposed at alongitudinal end of the drive housing which is proximal to the outletaperture of the outlet portion.

The inlet portion may extend along a first axial direction, and theintermediate portion may extend along a second axial direction which isat a non-zero angle to the first axial direction. The drive housingcomprises a first portion which is in abutment with the inlet portionand extends along the first axial direction, and a second portion whichis in abutment with the intermediate portion and extends along thesecond axial direction.

The inlet portion and the intermediate portion may cooperate to define ajunction having a junction angle of between 115 and 165 degrees.

The cleaning head comprises a tubular housing comprising an inletportion including an inlet nozzle which extends along a center axisdefining an axial direction, an outlet portion having an outlet end, andan intermediate portion interconnecting the inlet portion and the outletportion; a brush head comprising a plurality of bristles arranged toform a bristle skirt having a forward end; and a motor configured todrive the brush head to rotate or oscillate about a rotation axis. Theinlet nozzle defines a first channel portion having a first channel axisand the skirt defines a second channel portion forward of the firstchannel portion. The first channel portion and the second channelportion cooperate to form an inlet channel of the cleaning head. Theinlet channel is surrounded by the skirt and extends through the brushhead so that loosened particles in vicinity of the skirt are to moveinwardly from the skirt to enter the second channel portion and then tomove into the first channel portion.

The second channel portion has a second channel axis which is a centreaxis of the second channel portion, the first channel axis of the firstchannel portion is a centre axis of the first channel portion, and theinlet channel has an inlet channel axis which is a centre axis of theinlet channel formed by the first channel axis and the second axis inaxial concatenation along the inlet channel axis. Since the inlet nozzleis surrounded by the skirt, loosened solid particles of dirt and debristend to move towards the inlet channel axis after leaving the skirt,thereby mitigating outflow of dirt and debris from the skirt in adirection away from the inlet channel axis.

The first channel portion and the second channel portion are coaxial insome embodiments. Axially aligned first and second channel portionspromote smoother transition of loosened particles from the skirt to theinlet aperture of the inlet nozzle.

FIGURES

The disclosure is made by way of embodiments and examples with referenceto the accompanying Figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner of the presentdisclosure,

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing an example application of thevacuum cleaner,

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing paths of dust and debris flowalong the vacuum cleaner,

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a cleaning head of the presentdisclosure,

FIG. 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G are, respectively, front view, rear view,left side view, right side view, bottom view, and top view of thecleaning head,

FIG. 3A is a partly exposed view of the cleaning head of FIG. 1 showingthe drive mechanism,

FIG. 3B shows mechanical coupling between the brush head and the motorof the cleaning head of FIG. 1 ,

FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning head of FIG. 1 ,

FIG. 3D is an exploded view of the cleaning head of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a cleaning head of the presentdisclosure,

FIG. 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 4G are, respectively, right side view, leftside view, front view, rear view, bottom view, and top view of thecleaning head,

FIG. 5A is a partly exposed view of the cleaning head of FIG. 4A showingmechanical coupling between the brush head and the motor, and

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning head of FIG. 4A.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A suction cleaning apparatus of the present disclosure comprises apowered suction source and a cleaning head. Referring to FIG. 1 , anexample suction cleaning apparatus 10 comprises a main housing 12, asuction inlet 14, an air outlet 16, a powered suction sourceinterconnecting the air inlet and the air outlet, a storage chamber 18interconnecting the suction inlet and the powered suction source, and adirt filter mounted inside the storage chamber. The powered suctionsource may comprise a DC brushless motor or other types of suction powergenerator. The cleaning head comprises a brush head which is configuredto perform powered suction cleaning and/or powered agitation cleaning.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 1A, 2A to 2G, and 3A to 3D, the cleaning head 100comprises a main body 120, a brush head 140 and a drive mechanismdevised for driving the brush head to move about a rotation axis toperform agitation cleaning.

The main body 120 comprises a tubular housing including an inlet portion122, an outlet portion 124, and an intermediate portion 126interconnecting the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The inletportion 122 comprises an inlet end which is a forward end of the mainhousing and a junction end which is a rearward end that is in abutmentwith the intermediate portion 126. The inlet portion 122 comprises aninlet nozzle which defines an inlet aperture. The inlet aperture isdevised for collection of debris and dust in proximity of the inletaperture. The inlet nozzle has an inlet end which is the forward end ofthe inlet portion 122. Debris and dust are to enter the inlet nozzle atthe inlet end and through the inlet nozzle. The outlet portion 124comprises an outlet end which is a rearward end of the main housing anda junction end which is a forward end that is in abutment with theintermediate portion 126. The outlet portion 124 comprises an outletnozzle which defines an outlet aperture. The outlet nozzle has an outletend which is the rearward end of the outlet portion 124. Debris and dustare to leave the cleaning head 100 at the outlet end and enters thepowered suction source after passing through the outlet nozzle. The mainbody 120 may be formed of hard engineering plastics, for examplepolycarbonate or ABS, and integrally molded as a single piece.

The intermediate portion has a center axis which is a longitudinal axisX-X′ defining a longitudinal direction X-X′. The inlet portion has acenter axis A-A′ which defines an axial direction A-A′, as shown in FIG.2D.

The brush head 140 is a bristle head comprising an ensemble of bristles142 mounted on a bristle base 144. The bristle base is mounted on abristle receptacle, with the bristles projecting forwards of the bristlebase and extending in the axial direction A-A′ away from the bristlebase. The bristles may be made of substances which are suitable forperforming cleaning by powered agitation. For example, the bristles maybe fibers made of nylon, elastomeric substances such as natural orsynthetic rubber, or a combination thereof. The bristles are flexibleand elongate, and may have a purpose-specific length and width. Inexample domestic applications, the bristles may have a diameter ofbetween 0.1 mm and 0.6 mm, and an effective length of between 1 cm to 6cm, for example, between 1.5 cm and 3 cm. The effective length is ameasure of the axial extent of the bristles protruding forwardly fromthe bristle base 144, measured in the axial direction A-A′. Forindustrial applications, the bristles may have a larger diameter and/orlarger length without loss of generality.

The inlet portion of the example cleaning head 100 comprises an innertubular portion which defines the inlet nozzle 132 at its forward endand an outer tubular portion 134 which surrounds the inner tubularportion. The inner tubular portion extends from a base and extends toproject in a forward axial direction AA′ to protrude beyond the outertubular portion 134 and define the inlet aperture 132A at its forwardend. The inner tubular portion and the outer tubular portion 134cooperate to define a bristle receptacle for receiving and retaining thebristle base 144. The bristle receptacle is on the forward end of theouter tubular portion 134, extends transversely between the innertubular portion and the outer tubular portion 134, and comprises aforward-facing receptacle base surface in front of which the bristlebase is mounted. The forward-facing receptacle base surface isintermediate the inlet nozzle 132 and the outer tubular portion 134. Theexample bristle receptacle is circular and surrounds an intermediateportion of the inner tubular portion. The bristle base 144 is surroundedby the forward portion of the outer tubular portion 134 and is rotatableabout the center axis A-A′ as a rotation axis.

The example bristle receptacle has an outer peripheral wall which isdefined by the outer tubular housing 134, an inner peripheral wall whichis defined by the inner tubular portion, and the receptacle base surfaceis a base surface which is delimited by cooperation of the outer tubularhousing and the inner tubular portion. The outer peripheral wall, theinner peripheral wall and the base surface cooperate to define a channelwhich is a receptacle channel. The receptacle channel surrounds theinlet nozzle and the bristles protrude from the receptacle channel andextend forwards in the axial direction. The bristles of the examplebrush head are distributed on the bristle base to surround the inletnozzle.

The base surface of the example receptacle is orthogonal to the axialdirection and the channel is a circular channel adapted to receive aring-shaped bristle base. The circular receptacle channel and the inletnozzle are coaxial, with the center axis A-A′ as a common center axis.

The ensemble of bristles comprises a plurality of bristles which may bearranged into a plurality of bristle groups each comprising a pluralityof bristles. Each bristle group is a bristle tuft and immediatelyadjacent bristle tufts may be separated by a separation distance whichdefines an inter-tuft spacing. A bristle tuft has a tuft axis andbristles forming a tuft are distributed to surround the tuft axis andextend in a direction substantially parallel to the tuft axis. Thebristles for domestic applications may have a transversal extent(measured in a direction orthogonal to and intercepting the tuft axis)of between 1 mm and 4 mm at its base. A bristle tuft for industrialapplications may have a larger transversal extent of between 1 mm and 4mm at its base. In example embodiments, the inter-tuft spacing isuniform and the inter-tuft separation distance, which defines a pitch ofthe tufts, may be comparable to the diameter of a bristle tuft.

The bristle base 144 of the example brush head comprises a base member.The example base member is a ring-shaped base member 144 a comprising abody portion and an internal aperture delimited by an interior peripheryof the body portion. The bristles are mounted on the body portion of thebase member and project in a direction substantially orthogonal to thebody portion. The body portion of the example base member extends alonga circular path and the bristles mounted thereon form a skirt which is askirt of bristles surrounding the internal aperture of the base portion.The skirt has a forward end which is the forward end of the ensemble ofbristles and a rear end which is affixed on the bristle base.

When the bristle head comprising the bristles and the base member ismounted in the bristle receptacle, the base member is mounted betweenthe inlet nozzle and the outer tubular portion, and the skirt ofbristles surrounds the inlet nozzle, such that the inlet nozzle isintermediate the skirt and the inlet aperture. The skirt of bristles hasan inner peripheral surface which is an inward-facing surface and anouter peripheral surface which is an outward-facing surface surroundingthe inner surface. The inner peripheral surface is proximal andsurrounds the inlet nozzle and the outer peripheral surface surroundsboth the inner peripheral surface and the inlet nozzle such that theinner peripheral surface is intermediate the inlet nozzle and the outerperipheral surface. The example skirt extends along a circular trackhaving a track axis which is coaxial with the center axis A-A′. Theskirt may extend along a non-circular track such as an oval track or apolygonal track.

The skirt projects for an axial extent beyond the inlet nozzle anddefines a second inlet channel which is a skirt channel. The secondinlet channel is a continuation of a first inlet channel which isdefined by the inlet nozzle. The first inlet channel has a forward endwhich defines the inlet aperture. The skirt channel has a channelboundary which is defined by the ensemble of bristles, and morespecifically, the inner peripheral surface of the ensemble of bristles.

The skirt channel is a leakage channel having a channel boundary definedby the inner peripheral surface of the skirt of bristles and has a skirtchannel clearance defined by the inner peripheral surface of the skirt.The skirt channel clearance is larger than channel clearance of thefirst inlet channel. Channel clearance herein is measured in a directionorthogonal to the axial direction. The first inlet channel has anairtight or non-air permeable peripheral wall which surrounds the inletaperture while the second inlet channel is a leakage channel having aporous or air permeable peripheral wall. The first inlet channel and thesecond inlet channel are in series, and the second inlet channel isforward of the first inlet channel. The first inlet channel is a firstchannel portion and the second inlet channel is a second channel portionwhich cooperate to form an inlet channel of the brush head. The inletchannel is a combined channel comprising a first channel portion whichis a skirt channel defined by the skirt and a second channel portionwhich is a nozzle channel defined by the inlet nozzle and in series withthe first channel portion.

The nozzle channel permits flow of air in the axial direction only whilethe skirt channel permits flow of air in both axial and radialdirections due to spacings between the tufts and/or bristles. Thecombined channel is a tapered channel which narrows on progressingtowards the bristle receptacle. In example embodiments such as thepresent, the portion of the brush head 140 which is axially forward ofthe inlet nozzle is free and clear of bristles. In example embodiments,the skirt flares to widen on progressing from the rear end to theforward end.

The skirt channel comprises an inlet aperture which is on the forwardend of the skirt and a peripheral wall defined by the bristles. Theperipheral wall permits passage of air and loose particles in adirection orthogonal to the peripheral wall and orthogonal to the axialdirection.

The skirt is configured such that, loose dirt or solid particles,including dirt or solid particles loosened by agitation of the bristlesor loose dirt or solid particles radially outside of the skirt, willmove radially inwards into the skirt channel before moving axially intothe inlet nozzle when suction power appears at the inlet aperture.

The example inlet nozzle protrudes for an axial extent with respect tothe outer tubular portion and stops short of the forward axial end ofthe bristle skirt. The axial extent of protrusion of the inlet nozzlewith respect to the outer tubular portion may be more than 30% and lessthan 80% of the axial extent of protrusion of the skirt with respect tothe outer tubular portion. The axial extent may be 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%,70%, 80%, or a range or ranged selected from a combination of any of theaforesaid values.

The outer tubular portion may have a length of between 2 cm and 8 cm,and the inlet nozzle may protrude beyond the outer tubular portion foran axial extent of say between 1 cm and 2 cm.

The skirt protrudes for an axial extent beyond the axial extent of theinlet nozzle. The axial extent of protrusion of the skirt with respectto the inlet may be more than 30% and less than 80% of the axial extentof protrusion of the skirt with respect to the outer tubular portion.The axial extent may be 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or a range orranged selected from a combination of any of the aforesaid values. Inexample embodiments, the skirt projects forward and extends beyond theinlet nozzle for an axial extent of more than 0.5 cm, for example, 0.6cm, 0.8 cm, 1 cm. 1.2 cm, 1.4 cm, 1.6 cm, 1.8 cm, 2 cm or more.

The intermediate portion has a length which is substantially larger thanthe length of the inlet portion. The inlet portion may have a length of2 cm or more, and can be 2.5 cm, 3 cm, 3.5 cm, 4 cm, 4.5 cm or more. Thelength of the intermediate portion may be, 3 times, 4 times, 5 times, 6times, 7 times, 8 times, 9 times, 10 times or more the length of theinlet portion or the outer tubular housing. The length of the inletportion is measured in the axial direction while the length of theintermediate portion is measured in the longitudinal direction.

In example embodiments such as the present, the inlet portion extends atan angle to the intermediate portion. The inlet portion and theintermediate portion of the example brush head cooperate to define anangled junction having an obtuse included angle. The obtuse anglefacilitates a more effective and convenient agitation cleaning. Theobtuse angle may be between 120 and 165 degrees. In some embodiments,the inlet portion and the intermediate portion may be in line so thatthe longitudinal axis and the center axis are aligned in line.

The outlet portion couples the brush head to a powered suction source sothat loose particles collected by the inlet nozzle are transported outof the cleaning head via the outlet portion. In embodiments where thecleaning head is detachable from a powered suction source, the outletportion comprises a power coupler for making pneumatic and electricalcoupling with the powered suction source.

The brush head is devised to perform powered assisted agitationcleaning. To facilitate performance of power-assisted agitation by thebristle head, the bristle head is movably mounted on the inlet portionand is connected to a drive mechanism which is configured to drive thebrush head to perform agitation cleaning motion. The agitation cleaningmotion may be in the form of rotation about the rotation axis,oscillation about the rotation axis, pulsation along the rotation axis,or a combination thereof. The drive mechanism may be a motor-drivemechanism comprising a motor and a power coupling arrangement which isconfigured to couple mechanical power required for performing agitationcleaning from the motor to the brush head. The power couplingarrangement of the example embodiments is configured to couple power tothe brush head in an off-centered or eccentric manner.

The drive mechanism may be mounted inside a drive housing 180. The drivehousing 180 may be an adjunct housing formed as an annex on the mainbody 120. The main body is a primary housing defining the tubularportion of the cleaning head. Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3D, the mainbody 120 comprises a top side 126A and a bottom side 126B. A drivemechanism comprising a motor 152 which is a brushless motor, a motorcontrol board 154, and a power coupler 156 is contained in a drivecompartment. The adjunct housing is formed on the bottom side of themain housing and the drive compartment is formed by the adjunct housingin cooperation with the main housing. The motor may be a brushed or abrushless DC motor. The adjunct housing may be a detachable housingwhich is detachably mounted on the main housing, and the drive mechanismis accessible, for service or repair, when the adjunct housing isdetached from the main housing, as shown in FIG. 3A. The adjunctionhousing has a width which is smaller than the width of the tubularportion so that the adjunction housing does not protrude laterallybeyond the tubular portion, the width being a transversal dimensionmeasured in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X-X′, andorthogonal to a plan defined by the axes X-X′ and A-A′. The examplebrush head 140 is configured to oscillate about the center axis as arotation axis and the motor 152 is connected to the brush head via amotion-conversion mechanism which converts rotary motion of the motorinto oscillation of the bristle head about the rotation axis. The motorcontrol board comprises a drive circuitry which is configured to controlmotor on/off, drive speed and/or drive direction. The drive circuitrymay comprise a PWM drive circuitry to facilitate motor control. Theexample drive mechanism is mounted inside the drive housing which is inabutment with the outer periphery of the main body and extends betweenthe inlet portion 122 and the outlet portion 124. The example drivemechanism comprises a power coupler which is configured to transmitpower from outside the primary body to inside the primary body, forexample, in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the brushhead.

In this example, the motor 152 and the bristle base 144 are connected bya power coupling arrangement comprising a cam mechanism, as shown inFIGS. 3B and 3C. The cam mechanism comprises a rocking arm connected tothe bristle base and an off-centered driving pin which is configured todrive the rocking arm to perform oscillator motion about the rotationaxis. The motor is mounted on the outer tubular portion and a cam 158 ismounted on the shaft of the motor to drive a cam shaft 158 a whichprotrudes from the outer periphery of the cam 158. The cam follower 144b protrudes from the bristle base 144 and extends radially outwardsthrough the outer tubular portion to mechanically connect with the cam158. When the motor rotates, rotation of the motor shaft drives the camand the cam drives the bristle member into an oscillatory reciprocatingmotion about the rotation axis. The control board comprises electroniccircuitry which is operable to turn on or turn off the motor, to controlmotor speed, and/or to control rotation direction. To reduce frictionbetween the bristle base 144 and the receptacle base surface, a bearing136 is provided between the bristle base and the receptacle basesurface.

In some embodiment, the tubular housing 120 further comprises an innertubular housing, which has a center axis aligned with that of the outertubular housing. The bristle base is held inside the receptacle definedby the outer tubular housing and inner tubular housing. The inlet nozzle132 is connected to the inner tubular housing via an adaptor ring 138. Abearing 136 is provided between the bristle base 144 and the adaptorring 138.

During power assisted operations when the powered suction source isturned on, suction power from the powered suction source will generate alow-pressure region in the inlet channel. Loose solid particles invicinity of the brush skirt will move radially inwards towards thecenter axis and then axially inwards toward the inlet nozzle to finallyreach the suction cleaning apparatus.

During example use of the suction cleaning apparatus as shown in FIG.1A, the forward end of the brush head is to approach a target to becleaned, which in the example is a pleated air filter comprising pleatedfilter elements. When the brush head encounters the target, some of thebristles will encounter the troughs of the filter pleats and some willencounter the peaks of the pleated filter element. Movement of the brushhead relative to the filter while the brush skirt is in contact with thepleated filter elements will agitate the elements, thereby looseningsolid particles deposited thereon. The suction power originating fromthe vacuum power source will operate to move the loosen particles intothe dust collection area of the suction cleaner, as shown in FIG. 1B.Loosen particles in the vicinity of the brush head may move axiallyinwards towards the inlet nozzle, or move in a radial direction throughthe periphery of the brush skirt, as indicated by the arrows of FIG. 1B.

While the brush head of the embodiment of FIG. 2A is driven by a cammechanism, the cam mechanism can be replaced by a gear or a gearmechanism, for example, a gear or a gear mechanism comprising areduction gear. For example, the bristle base may comprise a teethedwheel having external teeth which are in engagement with a teethed wheelon the motor shaft, so that rotation or oscillation of the motor will betransmitted into rotation or oscillation of the brush head about therotation axis.

Referring to FIGS. 4A to 4G and 5A to 5B, a cleaning head 200 comprisesa main body, a brush head and a drive mechanism devised for driving thebrush head to move about a rotation axis to perform agitation cleaningis shown.

The main body comprises a tubular housing including an inlet portion222, an outlet portion 224, and an intermediate portion 226interconnecting the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The inletportion comprises an inlet end which is a forward end of the mainhousing and a junction end which is a rearward end that is in abutmentwith the intermediate portion. The inlet portion comprises an inletnozzle which defines an inlet aperture. The inlet aperture is devisedfor collection of debris and dust in proximity of the inlet aperture.The inlet nozzle has an inlet end which is the forward end. Debris anddust are to enter the inlet nozzle at the inlet end.

The cleaning head 200 is identical to the cleaning head 100 in almostall material aspects except the drive mechanism and the drive housing.The description herein on and in relation to the cleaning head 100 isincorporated herein by reference and to apply mutatis mutandis to thecleaning head 200 where the context permits.

The cleaning head 200 has a drive housing which is mounted on the topside of the main housing, compared to the drive housing of the cleaninghead 100 which is mounted on the bottom side of the main housing. Themotor 252 and the bristle head of the cleaning head 200 are connected bya gear train, comprising a teeth gear wheel 258 mounted on the motorshaft and external teeth formed on the base member 244 a. Other geararrangements can be used without loss of generality.

While the cleaning heads are detachable from the powered suction source,it should be appreciated that the cleaning head may be an integral partof a suction cleaning apparatus without loss of generality.

The powered suction source may be a vacuum cleaner, for example aportable vacuum cleaner. An example powered suction source suitable forusing the cleaning head comprises a main body, a suction mechanism, adust inlet, a dust outlet, a filter compartment interconnecting the dustinlet and the dust outlet, and a battery pack, as shown in FIGS. 1, 1Aand 1B. The dust inlet includes an inlet portion for making detachablecoupling with the cleaning head 100 whereby suction generated by thesuction mechanism is transmitted to the inlet nozzle of the cleaninghead. The cleaning head may be fixedly or detachable attached to thepowered suction source. Where the cleaning head is detachably attachableto the powered suction source, the cleaning head is a cleaningattachment.

While the present disclosure is described with reference to exampleembodiments, the embodiments should not be construed as restricting thescope of disclosure.

1. A cleaning head for a powered suction source, comprising: a main bodycomprising an inlet portion (122), an outlet portion (124) and anintermediate portion (126) which is an intermediate tubular portioninterconnecting the inlet portion and the outlet portion; wherein theinlet portion comprises an inlet tubular portion (132) which defines aninlet nozzle at its forward end and an inlet aperture at forward end ofthe inlet nozzle; wherein the outlet portion comprises an outlet tubularportion which defines an outlet nozzle at its rearward end and an outletaperture at rearward end of the outlet nozzle, the outlet nozzle beingconfigured for coupling to a powered suction source whereby suction andelectrical power are to be received from the powered suction source; abrush head (140) comprising a plurality of bristles mounted on a bristlebase (144), the plurality of bristles being arranged to form a bristleskirt to surround the inlet nozzle; and a drive mechanism configured todrive the bristle base whereby the bristle skirt is to rotate oroscillate about a rotation axis and about the inlet nozzle.
 2. Thecleaning head of claim 1, wherein the inlet tubular portion is a firsttubular portion which extends along a first axis (A-A′) which is alongitudinal center axis of the inlet tubular portion, the center axisdefining a forward direction (A-A′), and wherein the bristle skirtextends forwardly to protrude beyond the forward end of the inlettubular portion and define the forward end of the cleaning head.
 3. Thecleaning head of claim 1, wherein the inlet portion (122) comprises anouter tubular portion (134) which defines an outer periphery of theinlet portion, the outer tubular portion (134) having a forward endwhich is distal to the intermediate portion (126) and a rearward endwhich is in abutment with the intermediate portion (126), wherein theouter tubular portion (134) is coaxial with and surrounds the inlettubular portion, and has an axial extent which is smaller than the axialextent of the inlet tubular portion so that the forward end of the outertubular portion is intermediate the forward end of the inlet tubularportion, and wherein the outer tubular portion (134) and the inlettubular portion cooperate to define a bristle receptacle inside whichthe bristle base is rotatably received.
 4. The cleaning head of claim 3,wherein the bristles of the bristle skirt are arranged to form a screenof bristles which defines a third tubular portion, the third tubularportion being intermediate the inlet tubular portion and the outertubular portion (134).
 5. The cleaning head of claim 3, wherein thebristle receptacle has a forward-facing receptacle base which is inabutment with the bristle base and the bristle skirt projects forwardlyfrom the bristle base, and wherein the outer tubular portion has aforward end which surrounds the bristle base.
 6. The cleaning head ofclaim 1, wherein the bristle skirt has an axial extent which is largerthan the axial extent of the inlet tubular portion so that the bristleskirt extends to protrude beyond the forward end of the inlet tubularportion, which is an inner tubular portion.
 7. The cleaning head ofclaim 1, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a motor having a motorshaft and a power coupling arrangement which is configured to coupledriving power generated by the motor to the bristle base whereby thebristle skirt is rocked or rotated about a rotation axis which is alongitudinal center axis of the inlet tubular portion, and wherein themotor is outside of and in abutment with the inlet portion, and themotor shaft is parallel to and offset from the center axis.
 8. Thecleaning head of claim 7, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a powercoupler which extends through the inlet portion orthogonally in adirection orthogonal to the center axis to interconnect the bristle baseand the motor.
 9. The cleaning head of claim 8, wherein the bristle baseis configured as a wheel having an inner periphery which surrounds theinlet nozzle and an outer periphery which surrounds the inner periphery,and wherein the drive mechanism is configured to couple driving power tothe bristle base at the outer periphery of the bristle base.
 10. Thecleaning head of claim 9, wherein the power coupler comprises a rockingarm which extends orthogonally from the outer periphery of the wheel toconnect with an eccentric driving pin which is connected to the motorshaft.
 11. The cleaning head of claim 9, wherein the bristle base is ateethed wheel and the drive mechanism comprise a teethed wheel which isin engagement with the bristle base to transmit driving power thereto.12. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the main body comprises anouter peripheral wall which defines an outer periphery of the inletportion and the intermediate portion, and wherein the drive mechanism ismounted inside a drive housing which is in abutment with the outerperiphery.
 13. The cleaning head of claim 12, wherein the drive housingis elongate and extends along the inlet portion and the intermediateportion.
 14. The cleaning head of claim 12, wherein the drive mechanismcomprises a power connector which is configured to connect with thepowered suction source to obtain electrical power to operate the drivemechanism, and wherein the power connector is disposed at a longitudinalend of the drive housing which is proximal to the outlet aperture of theoutlet portion.
 15. The cleaning head of claim 12, wherein the inletportion extends along a first axial direction, and the intermediateportion extends along a second axial direction which is at a non-zeroangle to the first axial direction; and wherein the drive housingcomprises a first portion which is in abutment with the inlet portionand extends along the first axial direction, and a second portion whichis in abutment with the intermediate portion and extends along thesecond axial direction.
 16. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein theinlet portion and the intermediate portion cooperate to define ajunction having a junction angle of between 115 and 165 degrees.
 17. Asuction cleaning apparatus comprising a powered suction source and acleaning head, wherein the cleaning head comprises: a main bodycomprising an inlet portion (122), an outlet portion (124) and anintermediate portion (126) which is an intermediate tubular portioninterconnecting the inlet portion and the outlet portion; wherein theinlet portion comprises an inlet tubular portion (132) which defines aninlet nozzle at its forward end and an inlet aperture at forward end ofthe inlet nozzle; wherein the outlet portion comprises an outlet tubularportion which defines an outlet nozzle at its rearward end and an outletaperture at rearward end of the outlet nozzle, the outlet nozzle beingconfigured for coupling to a powered suction source whereby suction andelectrical power are to be received from the powered suction source; abrush head (140) comprising a plurality of bristles mounted on a bristlebase (144), the plurality of bristles being arranged to form a bristleskirt to surround the inlet nozzle; and a drive mechanism configured todrive the bristle base whereby the bristle skirt is to rotate oroscillate about a rotation axis and about the inlet nozzle.
 18. Thecleaning head of claim 17, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a motorhaving a motor shaft and a power coupling arrangement which isconfigured to couple driving power generated by the motor to the bristlebase whereby the bristle skirt is rocked or rotated about a rotationaxis which is a longitudinal center axis of the inlet tubular portion,and wherein the motor is outside of and in abutment with the inletportion, and the motor shaft is parallel to and offset from the centeraxis.
 19. The cleaning head of claim 18, wherein the bristle base isconfigured as a wheel having an inner periphery which surrounds theinlet nozzle and an outer periphery which surrounds the inner periphery,and wherein the drive mechanism is configured to couple driving power tothe bristle base at the outer periphery of the bristle base.
 20. Thecleaning head of claim 19, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a powercoupler which extends through the inlet portion orthogonally in adirection orthogonal to the center axis to interconnect the bristle baseand the motor, and wherein the power coupler comprises a rocking armwhich extends orthogonally from the outer periphery of the wheel toconnect with an eccentric driving pin which is connected to the motorshaft.